Woodhead's Angelfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Southwest Pacific: Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Great Barrier Reef. Found on steep outer reef slopes and rubble zones.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Pomacanthidae. Grows to a maximum length of 10 cm. Oval, compressed body shape, visually similar to Centropyge heraldi.

Social Behavior: Haremic or solitary. Spends its time foraging on algae and benthic detritus from rockwork. Defends its territory against competitors.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Solid bright yellow body with a distinctive black spot highlighted by a blue border on the rear dorsal fin. Protogynous hermaphrodite.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a tank of at least 200 liters with plenty of live rock to provide both grazing surfaces and hiding spots.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivore. Provide algae-based flakes, spirulina pellets, frozen mysis, and enriched brine shrimp 2-3 times daily.

Water Quality: Keep temperature at 22-28°C, pH 7.8-8.5, and salinity at 1.020-1.026 SG. High-grade filtration and stable parameters are essential.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Safe with caution in reefs. May nip at stony corals, zoanthids, and clam mantles. Avoid keeping with similar yellow dwarf angelfish.

Aquarium Reproduction: Broadcast pelagic spawner. Spawning occurs in open water. Breeding in home aquariums is highly challenging and rarely documented.

Risks and Diseases: Susceptible to marine ich and velvet under stress. Monitor coral health closely, as hungry individuals may damage corals.